Of Folly and Fear: The Forgotten Gods: Book Two

CHAPTER 1 – Of Life and Death

I barely managed to block his attack. Our swords collided with a loud thwack. I counterattacked and managed to gain some ground back. Sweat was stinging my eyes, but I dared not let that distract me. One of the most important things I had learnt, was that an instant of distraction during battle, could mean death. He slowly turned in a tight circle around me. Suddenly, he lunged forward, swinging his sword in an arc toward my neck. I blocked it again, but this time I was able to put my whole weight behind it, knocking him backward and off balance.

Taking my moment, I took a few steps closer to him. I spun around low to the ground, flicking my foot out and swiping him off his feet. He fell back and hit the ground with a thud. I closed the distance between us and lay the tip of my sword against his neck. A grimace was contorting his face as he lay there squinting up at me, shock and pain making his ice-blue eyes sparkle.

A scarcely contained giggle broke the moment. I lowered my wooden sword and looked over to Myria. She had been watching us spar from the door. I held my hand out to Riaph to help him up and – with a scowl directed at his sister – he gripped my hand. You did well, son. Every day you get closer to getting the better of me.

He paused for a moment from shaking the dust off his clothes to give me a dubious look. You say that every day we practise. Yet, I have never beaten you.

Myria was still standing with a grin on her face and he turned on her. Don’t you have anything better to do? I thought Moma told you to make sure to study the Book today!

Her face fell, but she left without a word of objection.

You know she admires you and she does not mean any offence, I said in a placating tone.

He rolled his eyes and running a hand through his short blond hair, said, I know, I mustn’t take it out on her. I just get so frustrated. Every time I think I have you forced into a corner, you find the secret door out and instead, I find myself flat on my back… again.

I couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter that forced itself out. A moment later, I was relieved when he joined in.

You know I will beat you, old man, he said. One of these days, it will be you dusting yourself off!

I grinned back at him. I know. He was getting better all the time and at thirteen cycles old, he still had a lot of growing to do. Calling me ‘old man’ was new, but I did not mind it. Not too much.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

At times, I had wondered at the wisdom of teaching my children about the horrors of the past from such a young age. Being part of the Alliance was a proud heritage. If not for them, and their Fae counterparts, the Guardians, Rakadamon would almost certainly have triumphed at the Battle of Magtisanya.

We had a duty to prepare our children so that they could in turn prepare others by passing the Knowledge on to their children, and to other people as well. Our objective was never to allow the world to become vulnerable again. Knowledge was power. So, I knew it was to the good for them to know, to be prepared, yet I always regretted taking their innocence from them so early.

In the time since the Battle of Magtisanya, we had lived such a normal life that in quiet moments, I could have almost forgotten for a while what had gone before. Of course, that never lasted. I had too many reminders – my scars, the Book, and of course, my bond with Markai. The latter was still a blessing even when I didn’t get to see her for seasons at a time.

As always, we finished our practice session with the Shea-Rin. Master Boryka of the Fae, had trained me to be a LemMestari – or sword master – like him. He had taught me the series of exercises and I took pride in passing this skill down to my son.

I unsheathed Sunder and handed Riaph his sword for it as well. It was best to practice with a real blade. It helped you get accustomed to the weight and balance of it.

Riaph took his place next to me and we sinuously moved through the various forms, our bodies smoothly flowing from one to the next.

When he was a toddler, barely able to walk steadily, he would take up a toy and while pretending it was his sword, mimic my movements. Now he looked deadly as his body flexed and curved into the forms of the Shea-Rin.

He had started learning to focus his Navitas about one cycle-of-the-seasons ago. I had nearly been denied this Talent. As an orphan and an outsider in the Predaki community, I was forbidden to learn their secret…. until I furtively observed the lessons and taught myself.

This ability had saved my life and the lives of my companions many times over. Riaph had shown great aptitude for it. I remembered my own struggle to learn it all too well. After all, as a boy it is not easy to clear your mind of all distractions and allow your awareness to drift outwards. But, once mastered, it heightens all the senses and when adept at the technique, you are able to sense and manipulate the energy that everything around you harbours.

Riaph had picked it up much quicker than I had. He was sorely disappointed however, when it turned out that he did not have the Talent of Charming. I had inherited this from my mother and it had meant that while using the Navitas, I drew Markai to me.

The first time I saw her, I was captivated. Her powerful cat-like body and the huge canine teeth protruding from her mouth and curling back to end in sharp points did not exactly scream ‘I am your friend’. I never knew why, but right from the start I had had a clear sense that she was an ally.

She was my bond partner, a fierce warrior, and the reason I survived the Battle of Magtisanya. I could not imagine life without her.

Riaph had fully expected his Navitas to call a Qupari to him as mine had drawn Markai. Our bond had always fascinated him and it took a long time for him to accept that he was not to have the same.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

I found Myria sitting at the kitchen table with the Book of Remembrance open in front of her. After all this time, I had come to know it cover to cover. I still cringed seeing my little girl paging through a book full of Dark Children and Twisted Ones; the former being the nightmarish creatures wrought from the hand of Rakadamon while the latter were once ordinary beings before being Twisted to serve the Dark Master’s purposes.

I looked over her shoulder to see what she was studying. The Book was open to an illustration of a Twisted Ape, one which I had added to it. She always preferred to read about the ones I had encountered, often asking me to retell my tales. I was relieved however, that she did not ask again then.

She looked up at me with her grey eyes so like her mother’s. They looked sulky. I planted a kiss on her forehead.

Popa, she said, you have a picture in here of a Twisted Ape, but not of an original one… You know, before Rakadamon Twisted it. How are they different?

I pointed to the sketch of its paw. You see this, the Twisted Ape has retractable claws; that’s different. I think the biggest difference though, is that normal apes are tranquil creatures, unlikely to attack you. Twisted Apes on the other hand, serve evil purposes. The combination of their intelligence and powerful bodies make them formidable enemies.

You’ve never seen an original ape, have you? she asked, her mouth pulling into a thin line.

I laughed. You could tell, could you?

She nodded.

You are too clever sometimes.

I know, she said with a cheeky smile. So, Rakadamon and the rest of the gods left their homes amongst men to punish them for starting the rebellion.

Yes? I wondered where this was leading.

Were they not very clever then?

What makes you ask that?

"Well, it wasn’t really such a bad punishment. Not like when you and Moma make me scrub the pots and clean out the stables."

It might not seem like a severe reprimand now, but at the time, it left humans and the Fae in a great deal of trouble. War raged for decades before they managed to rebuild their lives.

And that’s when Rakadamon first came back?

That’s right.

Alathaya walked in and smiled at me. Fifteen cycles of the seasons and two children later, it was still all she had to do to make my heart soar. Riaph says you once more landed him on his back, she said, running a hand down her long ash blond braid. Her narrow grin was partly admonishing, but she knew I had to train him as hard as I could. I shrugged.

She had also given him lessons until he started consistently besting her. Myria was schooled with the sword as well, although she preferred the bow and throwing knives. She made the very compelling – if flawed – argument that you should simply kill all the enemies before they could reach you.

I sighed at the thought that my ten-cycles-old daughter had to think about such disturbing things. At her age, I had been blissfully unaware of true danger. Of course, it did result in a very rude awakening for me and I had had to grow up fast.

The book that lay in front of Myria, was the original Book of Remembrance, including the additional pages I had created, which were loosely slipped into the appropriate places. Since our victory over Rakadamon I had made a dozen or so copies. It was painstaking work, but I knew the Book like the back of my own hand – in all its horrors. Quiniewa, the Fae woman who had been my teacher in all things, had been collecting the Books periodically. She took them back to others of her kind to put perdurability spells on them. My copy was about four thousand five hundred cycles of the seasons old, so obviously their spells were rather potent.

I was brought out of my reverie by a breathless Riaph running in from outside. In his haste he threw the door open, making it slam back against the wall. I was about to admonish him for such careless behaviour, when I saw his face.

Popa, he said, it’s Loris. He has an urgent message from Predaki.

I nodded and briskly strode out to meet the messenger. He stood holding the reins of his slender bay in one hand and a small note in the other. When he saw me he gave a bow, but his eyes did not come up again. He started picking at the trim on the leather rein.

Riaph says you have an urgent message, Loris. Out with it.

He grimaced and shuffled his feet. He looked up at me a moment before dropping his gaze again. I am afraid I have some news from your home, Master Kadin.

I ignored the title that I would usually decline. It was something that started up after we returned to Predaki following the Battle of Magtisanya. I had gone from an outcast and unaccepted outsider to the hero of the village. After receiving some visitors from Predaki, a few of the locals had taken to it as well. It had been one of the reasons why we had decided not to settle in Predaki. I certainly didn’t want it following me here. Settling on part of the Almeidas’ estate had been a way of escaping all that. Alathaya’s father had been all too happy to have us.

Loris licked his lips and held the note out to me. I took it from him, trepidation building in my heart. I read the few words. My stomach pinched as if punched and I had to put a steadying hand to the wall to keep my legs. Moma had passed away.

How? I knew it was a useless question to ask the messenger, but it was out before I could think. I gave a weak nod to his shrug. She had been ill, nonetheless had insisted it was nothing more than a cough. I should have been there. I should have known it was more serious. I cursed myself for a fool and gritted my teeth against the grief… and guilt.

Send a reply please: We will leave as soon as possible. He gave a small nod before scrambling onto the bay’s back and urging him away. I stood there watching them disappear in the distance for quite some time. Finally, with a heavy heart, I went inside to break the sad news to my family.

CHAPTER 2 – Bitter Days and Peculiar Nights

We made haste with our journey, but it still took us a full seventeen days before the massive Jurpa statues came into view. The rearing antelopes guarded the main entrance to the village. Moma used to tell us that they protected the village. With their two heads and great thrusting horns, they certainly looked fearsome.

Growing up, I always wondered why such a small settlement had such a massive wall around it. I eventually learnt that, millennia ago, Rakadamon and his followers had been a threat to the Tretakai people in particular, as they harboured the secret Talent of the Navitas. Despite the people forgetting through the ages the true purpose of the Navitas, they continued to guard this knowledge fiercely, passing it along the generations, and finally to me, even though I was not of the Tretakai.

Alathaya laid a hand on my arm and I realised I had stopped and was staring at the statues. With a sigh, I led my family through the gates.

My plan was to go straight to Moma’s house. To my dismay though, I was waylaid soon after stepping into the village. Everyone I ran into stopped me to offer their condolences. I appreciated their concern and I knew Moma had been dear to them as well, but I needed to see my little sister. Breen, now the stable master, was a welcome sight. With a sympathetic nod, he took our horses from us to lead them to the stables.

I said a brief thank you and marched on quickly past another woman in the midst of saying how sorry she was for my loss. My abrupt departure left her looking after me with a perplexed frown on her face. I thought I heard Thaya murmur an apology to her.

Walking into Moma’s kitchen felt as it always had; like entering a safe sanctuary. For a fraction of a moment, I looked around for her before my stomach clenched again with the realisation that she was not there and never again would be. Lilana came out of Moma’s bedroom at the sound of our arrival. Her dark eyes were red rimmed and puffy, her black hair scraped back into a messy tail. Alathaya murmured a greeting before ushering the children into the bedroom.

I hugged her tightly and neither one of us said a word. What could we say? After a long moment, I slowly pulled away. She wiped her eyes while setting the kettle on the fire for some tea. I sat quietly, knowing that she would talk when she was ready.

She put a cup in front of me and sagged into a chair opposite. Sighing, she said, When Moma didn’t show up in the common dining hall for breakfast, I got worried. I came here. She glanced over to Moma’s bedroom. I found her in there. For a moment I thought she was sleeping, but I couldn’t wake her. Her voice broke, fresh tears streamed down her face and she sat shaking her head.

Had her cough got worse? I asked. I knew she was ill, but I didn’t think it was serious. Otherwise, I would have been here. I added guiltily.

She shook her head miserably. No, I don’t understand it. If anything, I thought she was getting better.

I took her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. When was the funeral?

I think, um, about eighteen days since. We would have waited for you to arrive, but… she trailed off. I nodded my understanding.

Come. She stood up and I called Thaya and the children. We walked in silence to the grave. Thankfully, passers-by kept their silence, though they followed us with sympathetic gazes.

We stood staring at the piece of dirt that now covered the first person to ever love me, accept me. I was startled when Thaya wiped at my face. It was then that I realised I was crying.

She reached up on tiptoes, kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, We will give you some time alone. I looked up as she ushered the children away. Lilana had already gone.

I sat down. As always when troubled, I pulled my sentinel from my pocket. It had been my denouement gift when I completed the Tretakai induction ceremony. Little did I know it would end up saving my life.

Although the disc’s beautiful golden surface was marred by burn marks, the inscription was still clearly visible: ‘We come when summoned, but bearer be aware, we come but once’. I had long pondered these words. When I activated it with my Navitas in a moment of dire need, it had summoned a group of Fae warriors. It had been clear that they had some sort of debt to repay and once they had come at my call, the debt was repaid.

Even though I knew there would be no one forthcoming from it again, I still carried it with me wherever I went. It, and the Alliance symbol on it, was a sort of reminder that no matter how bad things seemed, they had been worse. That day though, I was not sure this was true.

All those seasons ago when my dying mother gave birth to me in a cave, the Cha had sent Moma to find me, but no one had asked her to adopt me. She raised me as her own, even in the face of opposition in the village.

I sat there for a long while. When the sun started disappearing, I hunted for a flower. I found a red rose and laid it on the grave. The Kichwa had once said to me that I was like a blood red rose in a field of white moonflowers, so it felt right. I wiped at my tears and strode away.

I walked along blindly until I nearly bumped into someone. I gave my head a shake and muttered an apology before brushing past him.

Kadin?

With a scowl, I turned. Brant! Despite the circumstances, I managed a small smile. He had not changed since I last saw him. His wavy dark hair was cut short with a long fringe, as was the fashion. His russet eyes peered at me.

He gave me a hug and a pat on the back. You look rough. Let me buy you a drink.

I shook my head, I am weary after my long journey, I glanced back over my shoulder in the direction of the graveyard, and this day.

He smiled broadly. That is exactly why you need a drink.

I relented and trailed after him to the Sprouting Fountain inn. It was Wilm’s da’s Inn, the only one in the village. As much as I had missed my brothers – the group of friends I had grown up with and who had become my family – I hoped I would not bump into them on this night.

Brant took a table near to the centre of the room, but I shook my head, walked to a dim corner and sat facing the wall. He sat down with a shrug.

When the drinks arrived, Brant lifted his mug and solemnly intoned, To your Moma.

I nodded and clinked glasses with him before taking a long draught. How is everything here?

He grinned impishly. You know your brothers, always up to some sort of mischief. With Master Draek getting old, Prea has practically taken over now as the village healer. Everyone loves him and I think a few were a bit relieved when old Master Draek finally handed over the reins. He was getting so forgetful. Not what you want in your healer! he said with a chuckle. I tried and failed to raise a smile for him.

Prea would have loved meeting the Jerieghens. They were a people of the Fae who were more adept at healing than what we humans could ever aspire to.

After a moment of awkward silence, Brant asked, So, have you been in touch with any of the Alliance members?

I lifted my shoulders, vaguely saying, Occasionally. I probably do not see them as much as I should or want to.

I saw Seran, Trissa and Dhillion not long ago. Did you know Dhillion lives with them still? he asked, his brows lifted quizzically.

Trissa’s little brother had been a pebble in my shoe during the last part of our expedition. I did not know how Seran could live with him. Of everyone’s Talents, his had been the one to frighten me. Truly, his compulsion was a Talent that lent itself well to selfishness, immorality and if not guarded against, evil. I shivered. I know of it. I have not seen them in a good many seasons. I did miss seeing Seran, but Dhillion had been reason enough to postpone my visits time and time again.

I was surprised at how mature he had become, he said.

I snorted. Well, he is now a man of twenty-nine cycles. I would be rather surprised if he hadn’t. Even so, I had always thought that he lacked the maturity to be responsible with his Talent.

With a nod, he continued. True, but he is not using his Talent as loosely anymore. As far as I could tell, he isn’t using it at all. Almost seems a bit of a waste, he added softly.

I looked at him disbelievingly. It had been about six cycles-of-the-seasons since I had last seen them, but at that point, he was still much a child. Demanding what he wants and if he did not get it, resorting to his Talent to force people to give him whatever he desired.

It is true, Brant said. He had learned a hard lesson.

I raised my eyebrows at him enquiringly.

Trissa had an argument with Dhillion and in vexation, he told her to go and wash dishes. Of course, she was compelled to obey. He stormed off and didn’t return for near on two days later. Seran nearly had his head for that, because naturally, Trissa was still busy washing dishes! At the time, she was five months pregnant with Griaty. Seran had managed to convince her to sit down while washing, but he could not get her to stop.

I could not hide my outrage. Could he not pick her up and carry her away? Lock her in a room?

Brant shook his head. He tried that. He managed carry her some distance, but as soon as he put her down, she would walk straight back to it, and if he locked her in a room, she went crazy. Screaming, crying and banging on the door for hours, until Seran relented and opened the door. She had to have a healer take care of her hands after that. They were worried for the baby as well.

I sat shaking my head as he told me this.

Dhillion claimed it was a lapse of judgment on his side, he continued. That he had not realised he had compelled her. Since then apparently, he is much more selective in how he uses his Talent. It’s also the reason why he is so protective of their little girl, Griaty. Probably trying to make up for his mistake that nearly cost her life.

I sat back in my chair absorbing this story. He had always been irresponsible, but this went beyond stupid.

When last did you see them? he asked.

I thought for a moment before answering. It must have been shortly before she was pregnant. Do you think Dhillion has learned his lesson then?

His mouth pulled down at the corners and his bottom lip jutted out. As I say, he did seem to have changed his behaviour after that incident, but I only saw them for a few days.

I looked down at my mug and saw I had drained it, so I made my excuses and headed back to Moma’s house, Lilana’s house now. As I stepped out of the inn, though, another person stopped me.

Master Kadin! he exclaimed. I thought I recognised him vaguely as being one of the elders who had sat on the village council when I was growing up. I haven’t seen you in such a long time, son. The Kichwa told us of your great achievements and glorious victory. We were all so happy that our faith in you paid off.

He smiled ingratiatingly at me. I could almost smell the waves of honey coming from his tongue. I shuddered inwardly at the complete hypocrisy of it. They never had any faith in me. Their enmity was what had forced me to learn the Navitas in secret and even when I achieved that, they had rejected me as an outsider, with the Kichwa leading the mob, practically with pitchfork in hand! I clenched my teeth to keep from saying anything, and strode past him.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

After the children went off to bed, I told Alathaya of my evening. She was not as shocked as I had been about Dhillion’s carelessness. I always thought he was going to get into a whole lot of trouble with his Talent. That boy never knew where the line should be drawn. He was lucky that it was not more serious. She sat shaking her head.

I scratched at my beard. I would have shaved it off long since, but Thaya liked it, so I put up with it.

You look tired. Do you want something to eat before bed?

I shook my head. No thank you, I am not going to be awake long enough for that.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Far off in the distance, I heard a howl. I had to strain my ears to catch it at first, but over several minutes it rose and fell like a lamenting call, louder and louder. My heart started racing. That was no wolf; it was a Dyrrendrel. The nightmarish creatures that Rakadamon had Twisted from the shape of the wolf were much larger than their normal counterparts.

But, how could that be? The Twisted Ones had all reverted when Rakadamon fell. Suddenly, it sounded loud and clear and very close.

I sat straight up in bed, covered in sweat. Thaya woke up and laid a hand on my arm. What is it?

I squinted at her through the darkness. Did you not hear it?

Hear what? Is Myria awake again? she asked with a groan.

I shook my head and sat listening a while before answering. I heard howling… a Dyrrendrel howling. It was getting so close.

She sat up next to me. That can’t be. You know they all reverted back to their natural forms. Perhaps it was a wolf, or do you think you could have been dreaming?

I ran a hand through my hair. I suppose. Could I have dreamt it? I was so sure I heard….With a sigh I laid back down. Thaya cuddled up next to me and soon she was taking the long slow breaths of sleep. I stayed awake listening for a while longer, even focusing my Navitas to enhance my hearing. When I heard nothing more though, I had to admit it had probably been a dream.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

The next morning we all went to the common dining hall where I knew I would find my brothers. When I saw them sitting at the same table we had always used, I could not help the smile that came. Jench spotted me first and sent up a joyous cry of greeting, jumping up and nearly knocking his chair over. Look, I think I recognise that man! he said, pointing to me.

No Jench, you’re mistaken, I’m sure that’s a stranger, Prea laughed.

I chuckled along with them. It hasn’t been that long!

Jamber snorted. Please! We have not seen you in, what is it, two whole cycles of the seasons! And look at the little Kadins. Not so little anymore, are they? Riaph, you are almost as big as your da now!

Riaph grinned at this. Prea got up and bowed to Alathaya, taking her hand and kissing it lightly on the back. The others followed suit with the bow and I gave them each a hug before going back to get some food. Riaph was already sitting down and talking animatedly with Jamber.

A short while later, Lilana walked in and after getting her food, came to sit with us. I was relieved to see that she looked better than she had the day before.

So, Lilana, have you decided to give in and marry me then? Jench asked with a serious face.

Her tinkling laughter made her eyes sparkle. I have told you, if I am not married by the time I am twenty-five cycles, I will be marrying you.

Jench’s face was a picture of mock disappointment. And in the meantime, you are happy for me to become a lonely old man?

She chortled again. Become? You already are a lonely old man!

I was sitting with my back to the entrance, but when I saw Wilm waving to someone at the door, I looked over my shoulder to see Brant raise his hand in turn. Jamber groaned. Why did you have to wave at him? Please, do not let him come and sit with us today.

I looked at him with a frown. I thought you were all friends with him now?

He gave me a deploring look. Have you forgotten how he used me, blackmailed me to get information on you? How you ever became friends with him is truly beyond me.

I sniffed. That was a long time ago. Besides we went through a lot together.

His eyebrows climbed. Well, we have not.

To Jamber’s dismay, Brant made his way over to us. He put a hand to my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. I heard that you had arrived yesterday. Just wanted to say I am really sorry for your loss, Kadin.

I looked at him in confusion. What do you mean?

Now it was his turn to look at me with a baffled expression and he glanced over to the rest of the men. Your Moma, Kadin. I am saying that I am sorry for your loss.

I shook my head and pursed my lips. I know that of course. But, I spoke to you last night. We went to the Sprouting Fountain. You bought me a drink… is any of this ringing a bell?

He looked at Aliana who had come up behind him, but she shrugged. Well, Brant continued, I must have had a lot more to drink than I thought. I vaguely remember sitting in there, but I don’t seem to remember talking to you at all. I did wake up with a fierce headache. He added almost to himself.

Aliana grinned, gazing up at him. She was short by Tretakai standards and only came up to Brant’s shoulder. Brant, that’s a new record for you, she said and looked at me apologetically. He has been known in the past to get hazy on the details of nights out, but this… She shook her head at him.

Myria giggled loudly until Thaya reprimanded her and even then, she tried quite unsuccessfully to stifle her mirth by pulling her long blond hair over her mouth. His cheeks flushed lightly with colour and he self-consciously rubbed the back of his neck.

Don’t worry Brant, we will have to catch up again. I tried for a placating smile.

Kadin, Aliana said, it is nice to see you again. We will have to arrange to take tea together before you go, perhaps when Brant is feeling better. She linked arms with Brant and led him away.

I looked after them. He only had two drinks while I had been with him. Perhaps he had more after I left, I mused.

I turned